GHG and Carbon Accounting
Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions inventories prepared under the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1, with documented methods and verification-ready records.
Key benefit: An emissions baseline you can report, verify and reduce
Sustainability, ESG & Climate
Net Zero Advisory
Turn your emissions baseline into realistic reduction targets and a costed roadmap your board can approve and track.
A costed, prioritised path to lower emissions
Overview
Net zero advisory is the planning work that takes an organisation from a measured emissions baseline to credible reduction targets and a practical plan to achieve them. It covers decarbonisation pathways, target setting using science-based approaches, identification and costing of abatement opportunities, marginal abatement cost analysis, and a phased net-zero roadmap with responsibilities, investment needs and progress indicators.
Saudi Arabia has announced a target of net-zero emissions by 2060, and the Saudi Green Initiative sets the national direction for emissions reduction, renewable energy and environmental restoration. For companies, this translates into questions from boards, investors, lenders and customers: what is your target, how will you achieve it, and what will it cost? A target without a plan quickly loses credibility, and a plan without costs cannot be approved. Net zero advisory connects the two, using your emissions inventory as the starting point.
We start by modelling a business-as-usual trajectory that reflects expected growth, then identify abatement opportunities across energy efficiency, fuel switching, electrification, on-site or procured renewable electricity, process changes, refrigerant management, fleet and logistics, and supplier engagement for Scope 3. Each measure is assessed for reduction potential, capital and operating cost, timing and technical feasibility. A marginal abatement cost curve then ranks measures by cost per tonne of CO2e avoided, showing which actions save money, which need investment, and where residual emissions remain.
Targets are set using science-based approaches, such as absolute contraction or sector pathways where they exist, so they can be explained to stakeholders. If you intend to submit targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), we prepare the analysis against its published criteria; validation itself is carried out by SBTi. The final roadmap sets out near-term and long-term milestones, owners, investment needs and indicators, and defines how residual emissions and any carbon credits will be treated, so the plan stays transparent rather than relying on offsets.
When you need this service
You may need this service when:
- Your board has committed to net zero and needs a credible plan behind it.
- Investors or lenders ask for emissions targets and evidence of a transition plan.
- You want to set near-term reduction targets using science-based methods.
- Major capital decisions on energy, fuel or equipment should reflect future emissions.
- You need to compare reduction measures by cost per tonne of CO2e avoided.
- Customers or a parent company require suppliers to show decarbonisation targets.
What we deliver
01
Baseline and trajectory
A review of your emissions baseline and a business-as-usual projection reflecting planned growth, production changes and known projects.
02
Target options
Short-, medium- and long-term target options using science-based approaches, with the implications of each for ambition, cost and feasibility.
03
Abatement opportunity register
A register of reduction measures with estimated emission savings, capital and operating costs, implementation timing, dependencies and technical risks for each measure.
04
Marginal abatement cost analysis
A marginal abatement cost curve ranking measures by cost per tonne of CO2e, highlighting cost-saving actions and those that need investment or external support.
05
Net-zero roadmap
A phased roadmap with milestones, owners, investment profile and progress indicators, covering residual emissions and the role, if any, of carbon removals or credits.
06
Board and stakeholder materials
Concise decision papers and presentations explaining targets, pathways, costs and risks for board approval and external communication.
Our approach
Baseline review
We review your GHG inventory for completeness and suitability as a base year, and agree the scopes and boundaries the targets will cover.
Trajectory modelling
We project business-as-usual emissions using growth plans, production forecasts and expected changes in grid electricity and fuel use.
Opportunity identification
Through site visits, data review and workshops, we identify reduction measures across operations, energy supply, fleet and the supply chain.
Cost analysis
We estimate reduction potential, cost and timing for each measure, then build the marginal abatement cost curve and test key sensitivities.
Target setting
We model target options against the pathways, discuss trade-offs with management and agree targets that are ambitious and achievable.
Roadmap
We prepare the phased roadmap, governance arrangements and tracking indicators, and the materials needed for board approval and disclosure.
Deliverables
| Deliverable | Format | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline review memo | Findings and base-year recommendations (PDF) | Start of engagement |
| Emissions trajectory model | Business-as-usual and reduction scenarios (Excel) | Modelling stage |
| Abatement opportunity register | Measures with savings, costs and timing (Excel) | Analysis stage |
| Marginal abatement cost curve | Chart and supporting calculations (Excel + PDF) | Analysis stage |
| Target-setting report | Target options, method and recommendation (Word + PDF) | Target-setting stage |
| Net-zero roadmap | Phased plan with milestones, owners and KPIs (PDF + editable file) | Final stage |
| Board presentation | Decision deck (PowerPoint) | Approval stage |
Regulatory context
- Saudi Arabia's target of net-zero emissions by 2060
- Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 as the national direction for emissions reduction and renewable energy
- GHG Protocol standards for the base-year inventory and target boundary
- Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) criteria, where companies choose to seek target validation
- IFRS S2 (ISSB) disclosures on climate-related targets and transition plans
Requirements vary by activity, location and permit conditions. We confirm the applicable requirements for your project at the start of every engagement.
Industries served
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between net zero and carbon neutrality?
Carbon neutrality usually means balancing current emissions with an equivalent volume of carbon credits, regardless of how far emissions have fallen. Net zero, as defined by most recognised frameworks, requires deep reductions across the value chain first, with only residual emissions balanced by permanent carbon removals. A net-zero plan therefore focuses on cutting emissions and treats credits as a limited, transparent supplement rather than the main tool.
Can you get our targets validated by SBTi?
Target validation is carried out by the Science Based Targets initiative itself, and companies submit their targets directly. We help you prepare: checking your inventory against the criteria, modelling targets with the relevant methods, and assembling the information needed for submission. We do not represent SBTi or guarantee a validation outcome; our role is to make sure your targets are well founded and properly documented.
Does the 2060 target mean our company must reach net zero by 2060?
The 2060 target is a national commitment. It does not by itself set a company-specific deadline, but it signals the direction of national policy, energy supply and future regulation. Many companies set their own targets based on their sector, investor expectations and customer requirements, which may be earlier or later. We help you choose a target year and interim milestones that you can justify and achieve.
Do we need a complete GHG inventory before starting?
A reliable baseline is needed, but it does not have to be perfect. Scope 1 and 2 data of reasonable quality is usually enough to begin pathway work, while Scope 3 can be estimated through screening and improved later. If no inventory exists, we recommend preparing one first through our GHG and carbon accounting service, since targets set against an unreliable baseline are difficult to defend.
What is a marginal abatement cost curve?
A marginal abatement cost curve is a chart that ranks emission reduction measures by their cost per tonne of CO2e avoided, with the width of each bar showing the volume of emissions reduced. It shows which measures save money over their lifetime, which require net investment, and how much reduction is available at each cost level. It helps management prioritise measures and plan capital spending.
Related services
ESG Advisory
Materiality assessment, ESG data controls and reporting aligned with GRI, IFRS S1/S2 and Saudi Exchange guidance, plus support with investor questionnaires.
Key benefit: Credible ESG disclosures backed by traceable data
Sustainability Advisory
Sustainability strategy, policies, targets and KPIs, governance and roadmap, integrated into day-to-day operations and project delivery.
Key benefit: Sustainability goals embedded in how the business operates
Related insights
Building your first GHG inventory: Scope 1, 2 and 3 explained
A practical guide to a first corporate GHG inventory under the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1: boundaries, scopes, data, emission factors and verification.
Need support with this service?
Share your project details and an environmental specialist will review your requirements.